Frome Heritage Museum has appointed Michael Maggs as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees.

Michael takes over from Bob Cuzner, who has decided to step down after four years as Chair, though he will be continuing as a museum trustee.

Michael was born and raised in Yeovil, and has a close early connection with both Frome and the museum. He is the grandson of Norman and Lilian Maggs, formerly of Gentle Street, where he stayed frequently as a child. Norman was for nearly 40 years a well-known pharmacist in Bath Street, a local councillor, and a founding trustee of both the Frome Society for Local Study and Frome Heritage Museum. Lilian was a primary school and music teacher.

Michael has previous charitable experience, having served as past Chair of Wikimedia UK, the UK national charity that supports Wikipedia and other open knowledge projects. After a professional career as a patent attorney in London, he has retired to Frome along with his wife Frances, a volunteer with Fair Frome.

Michael said: "I've already had the opportunity to work in the museum on a day-to-day basis, mostly as a photographer, and to make use of some of my knowledge of copyright law, which I've greatly enjoyed. Now, as a new unpaid trustee, I'm looking forward to grappling with some of the more strategic issues along with my fellow volunteers, and further developing the museum's connections with Frome's many heritage organisations, and with the wider community."

Frome Heritage Museum is a registered charitable company and trust, established in 1969. The current trustees are Michael Maggs, Bob Cuzner, Brian Marshall, Barry Edwards, Robert Heath, David Lassman, Andrew Ziminski, Angela Pater